Stark County commissioners approve contracts, road work and grant submission in unanimous vote

The Stark County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a series of resolutions and requisitions at their June 24, 2026 meeting, including contracts for behavioral‑health peer mentors, foster‑care assessments, several road projects and equipment purchases, and the submission of a body‑worn camera grant application.

Commissioner Richard Regula, president, called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Commissioner Alan Harold moved to approve an agenda amendment requested by Sarah Birone for Jennifer Odey to remove the words “Preliminary Agreement and”; Commissioner Bill Smith seconded and the amendment passed 3‑0.

The board heard one public comment: Nancy Bloom of Canton spoke about property taxes during the public‑speaks portion of the meeting.

Finance reported and the board approved an appropriation of $23,101.01 for the prosecutor’s Keep Kids in Schools (KKIS) contract (Contract 2526, Q3). Commissioners also approved two Job & Family Services transfers from Other to Capital — $5,000 and $33,000 — and accepted several county obligation journal entries for RPC invoices ( wage monitoring $609.28; subdivision engineering inspection $15,515.51; storm & water/NPDES $2,498.41; house numbering $1,949.82). All motions were moved by Commissioner Alan Harold, seconded by Commissioner Bill Smith, and carried 3‑0.

Job & Family Services presented a one‑year agreement with A.V.O. Behavioral Health, LLC to provide Family Peer Mentor services under the Ohio START program, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, not to exceed $59,000; the board approved the resolution. The board also approved a group of agreements (total not to exceed $35,000) with named providers to perform foster and adoptive home studies and large‑family assessments for terms beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028.

The county engineer’s office requested and received approval for three requisitions: a Reclamite asphalt rejuvenator treatment on Whipple Ave., High Mill Ave., Southway St. and Shelper Church Ave. (Pavement Technology Inc.), $95,000 (State Contract DOT101L27‑4); professional design services for the Easton St. & Rosedown Blvd. (Glen Oak High School) roundabout (PID 117495) to GPD Associates, $100,000; and a dump‑body/snow & ice control equipment package for a tandem axle plow truck from Concord Road Equipment MFG Inc., $197,623.71 (State Contract #800925‑Index #STS515).

The board authorized $675.30 for one Job & Family Services employee to attend the Ohio Director’s Association 2026 Fiscal Symposium in Westerville, Ohio, Aug. 18–19, 2026. Human Resources presented and the board approved specifications and authorization to solicit competitive sealed proposals for administration of the commissioners’ self‑funded group health plan.

Additional board actions included approval of a revised Stark County Engineer right‑of‑way permit fee schedule; acceptance of a standard highway easement from Tack Enterprises, LLC for reconstruction of Bridge CA‑15‑28 on Central Ave. SE; execution of a joinder agreement funding the Addison Lake LLC sewer and water extension project; and award of a contract to Premier Fence and Decks (Sugarcreek, Ohio) to erect fence and gates at the Mount Pleasant Storm Water Detention Basin for $71,800. The board also approved a resolution clarifying the HOME Consortium agreement between Stark County and the cities of Alliance and Massillon.

On behalf of the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, the commissioners authorized submission of the FY2025 Body‑Worn Camera Policy & Implementation Program Grant application (O‑BJA‑2025‑172461). Family Court’s agreement with Belmont Pines Hospital for custody, care and protective services for delinquent children (effective July 1, 2026–March 31, 2027) was approved. The board reappointed Melinda Chase to the Board of Building Appeals for a five‑year term from Aug. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2031. The commissioners also indicated they would not request a hearing regarding a new liquor license application for 909 Canton Pizza LLC (Kraus S 30th Street Pizza) in Plain Township.

All formal motions recorded in the minutes carried by a 3‑0 vote (Commissioners Richard Regula, Bill Smith and Alan Harold). The board reviewed upcoming meeting dates and closures, noted public teleconference access for future meetings, and adjourned at 1:44 p.m.

Next procedural steps noted in the minutes include the effective dates tied to individual contracts and grant submissions; the body‑worn camera grant application will proceed through the grant application process and any resulting award or contract will return to the board as required.